Haze & Heresy

chapter 1 ~ plague

A/N: this is my first real story I posted online! I hope you like it.


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PLAGUE

Every life is equal. Tragedy will not determine whether they are to be killed.

~

   The church across my school held many secrets over the years. Perhaps it was behind the cracks in the walls or the twisting vines crawling up the entrance. I had always seen strange occurrences inside the church. The swift shadows in the dim light, the cracking of window. Everybody said I was just imagining it—a hallucination. But I did see it.

At another time, I swear I had seen cloaked figures moving silently through the pews, their faces obscured by veils. The feeling of unease that lingered in the air whenever I passed by only added to what truly lay within those walls. I could never bring myself to investigate further, as if some unseen force was warning me to stay away. Perhaps some secrets are better left undisturbed.

People wondered why I had always sat in the sanctuary alone. Some thought I prayed; some thought I was just a strange girl. But deep down, the real reason was clear. The unsettling presence that seemed to inhabit the nave kept me at a distance from whatever lay hidden beneath the surface. It was a secret written on the bible I had found. Telling me to let it remain buried within the walls of the church.

That day, the sun hadn't cracked through the clouds yet. The streets were dark, illuminated by only a few streetlights. I had recently agreed to do some volunteer work for the church, so I got up. It was taking care of the sick, and I had to go early to 'suit up'.

The reason was a mysterious disease that had plagued the community. Journalists reported that it was highly contagious and that some may be 'possessed' by the illness. I had thought nothing of it until my parents had fallen severely ill. Doctors classified it as a symptom of the strange disease. Soon after, the confirmed cases had skyrocketed.

I did my morning routine. Change, brush teeth, and eat. I checked my phone. 5am. Before setting off to the street, I put on my mask and a protective suit and headed out. I plugged in my headphones, listening to the news podcast. The reporter spoke, her smooth voice filling my ears.

"Yesterday saw a heavy increase in cases for the MV-5 disease, and deaths had also shot up. Hospitals are overcrowded, so churches and other buildings are required to host government work in order to take care of everybody. A police officer said that they were required to dump corpses of the ill into a nuclear waste dumpsite in order to not contaminate food and dirt."

I switched off the podcast, changing to something less depressing. My father had been a priest at the church I was currently heading to, and his death had impacted the church severely. Now, our building was required to be a 'hospital' to host the sick. I still remember that day. Standing at my parents funeral, quiet and unresponsive.

"Aza, it's time to go." One of my relatives said:. I was ordered to live with them since I was not yet an adult and could not live by myself. It is peaceful around the house. Empty, too. My aunt had given birth while her husband had snuck off with another woman, leaving her depressed and a bad mother. Her child had practically raised himself, and he helped me and resonated with me as well.

As I walked down the sidewalk, the wind was strong and practically swaying me to the side. It felt like a whip, a wild fury, as if the wind itself was angry. Snow had descended on the town, bitter and cold. It was extremely heavy and coated many houses. It seemed like heaven was releasing its wrath.

Across the street, a priest was making his way to another church. I nodded politely as a way of saying hi, and he returned the favor.
"I am sorry to hear of your parent's loss, Aza." He said. 

My Sundays were always bleak, even before the plague had descended. Bible reading in a cold, meaningless room. I could practically feel frost forming on my cheeks, and I almost slipped a couple of times.